1,326
edits
>Zwerubae No edit summary |
(robot: Create/upgrade articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.) |
||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=October | {{Use Indian English|date=October 2022}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=October | {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}} | ||
{{Infobox flag | {{Infobox flag | ||
|Name= | | Name = | ||
|Image=File:Naval Ensign of India.svg | | Image = [[File:Naval Ensign of India.svg|border|250px]] | ||
|Use= | | Nickname = | ||
|Proportion=1:2 | | Use = [[Naval ensign]] | ||
|Design= A white ensign, | | Proportion = 1:2 | ||
| Adoption = 2 September 2022 (most recent revision) | |||
| Design = A [[white ensign]], featuring the [[flag of India]] in the [[Canton (flag)|canton]], and a [[navy blue]] filled, [[Gold (color)|gold]]-bordered octagon, enclosing the crest of the Indian Navy, located in the [[Glossary of vexillology|fly]].<!--Note: per https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-naval-ensign-why-indian-navy-set-new-8121252/ India is set to get a new ensign 2 September 2022--> | |||
}} | }} | ||
The | The '''Indian Naval Ensign''', also referred to as the '''Indian White Ensign''', or '''''Nishaan''''', is the [[naval ensign]] of the [[Indian Navy]], used aboard [[List of active Indian Navy ships|Indian naval vessels]], [[List of Indian Navy bases|shore establishments]] and [[naval air station]]s as its principal form of maritime identification.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/pm-modi-to-unveil-new-ensign-of-indian-navywhat-is-a-naval-ensign-and-why-is-it-being-changed-1661924492-1|title=PM Modi to unveil New Ensign of the Indian Navy: What is a Naval Ensign and Why is it being Changed?|website=www.jagranjosh.com|date=31 August 2022}}</ref> | ||
==Colonial-era ensigns== | |||
The blue ensign of the [[Star of India (flag)|Star of India]] was used from 1879–1892 as the [[naval ensign]] of Her Majesty's Indian Marine (1879–1892). It was then used by the Royal Indian Marine (1892–1934), subsequently upgraded to the [[Royal Indian Navy]] (1934–1950). The [[white ensign]] of the [[Royal Navy]] was used from 1928–1950 as the naval ensign of the Royal Indian Marine and then the Royal Indian Navy. | |||
Following the reconstitution of the Royal Indian Marine as a combatant force in 1928, the [[White Ensign]], the naval ensign of the [[Royal Navy]], was adopted, and was subsequently raised for the first time on 11 November 1928.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Under Two Ensigns - The Indian Navy 1945-1950 |url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/sites/default/files/Under-Two-Ensigns-06Apr16.pdf |website=www.indiannavy.nic.in}}</ref> | |||
=== Pre-1947 === | |||
{| class="wikitable" border="1" | {| class="wikitable" border="1" | ||
|+ | |+ Colonial-era flags | ||
! Period !! Ensign !! Jack | ! Period !! Ensign !! Jack | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1879–1884 || [[File:Flag of Imperial India.svg| | | 1879–1884 || [[File:Flag of Imperial India.svg|150px]] || [[File:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg|150px]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1884–1928 || [[File:Flag of Imperial India.svg| | | 1884–1928 || [[File:Flag of Imperial India.svg|150px]] || [[File:Naval Jack of Royal Indian Marine.svg|150px]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1928–1947|| [[File:Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|border| | | 1928–1947|| [[File:Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|border|150px]] || [[File:Flag of Imperial India.svg|150px]] | ||
|} | |||
==Independence-era ensigns== | |||
=== 1947–2001 === | |||
Following India's [[Indian Independence Act 1947|emergence as an independent nation on 15 August 1947]], the Royal Indian Navy continued the use of the White Ensign as its preferred choice, until 26 January 1950, when the country formally became a [[republic]].<ref name="History">{{Cite web |url=https://tmg110.tripod.com/india1.htm |title=REPUBLIC OF INDIA NAVAL ENSIGNS, FLAGS & PENNANTS 1950-2001 & SINCE 2004 |website=tmg110.tripod.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904160803/https://tmg110.tripod.com/india1.htm |archive-date=4 September 2022 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Correspondingly thereafter, the Royal Indian Navy was re-christened the Indian Navy, while the service's crest and flags were duly changed to India-centric configurations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wap.business-standard.com/article-amp/current-affairs/pm-modi-to-unveil-new-ensign-of-indian-navy-why-is-it-important-122083100268_1.html|title=Indian Navy to get a new ensign: What is changing and why is it important?|website=wap.business-standard.com|date=31 August 2022}}</ref> However, the White Ensign, featuring the [[Saint George's Cross|St. George's Cross]] over a white field, was retained, with the replacement of the [[Union Jack]] with the [[Flag of India]] being the only alteration.<ref name="Old Ensign">{{cite web|title=The Indian Naval Ensign|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/2001-AUG-OCT-MIN-OF-DEFENCE-III/PDF/DEF-2001-08-08_031.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive|date=8 August 2001|access-date=4 July 2022}}</ref> | |||
Following the ensign's institution, a [[Commissioning pennant|commissioning pendant]] and [[Indian Armed Forces rank flags|naval rank flags]] were also introduced.<ref name="History"/> Based on the rank flags of the Royal Navy, the new rank flags of the Indian Navy also exhibited the St. George's Cross, albeit with the ''[[Dharmachakra]]'' (Wheel of Law), a national symbol, in the intersection of the cross, as an extra addition.<ref name="History"/> In line with naval tradition of the former service, each rank flag bore a display of red balls in the flag's quadrant, representing the naval officer's rank - zero balls for the [[Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Chief of the Naval Staff]] (an [[Admiral (India)|admiral]] by rank), one ball for [[Vice admiral (India)|vice admirals]], two balls for [[Rear admiral (India)|rear admirals]] and again one ball for [[Commodore (India)|commodores]].<ref name="Ensign Years"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.andrewcusack.com/2008/india-naval-ensign/|title=St. George Guards India's Fleet Once More|website=www.andrewcusack.com|date=June 2022}}</ref> In addition to these measures, a [[presidential standard]], based on the modified ensign was also introduced, featuring a gold-colored elephant in the fly, symbolising strength and courage, as an added feature.<ref name="History"/> | |||
Originally, the ensign was made in a proportional ratio of 1:2, but by the 1980s, it had been altered to 2:3, while the presidential standard was made in 4:5 proportions.<ref name="History"/> | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | |||
|- | |||
!Flag!!Jack!!Ensign!!Commissioning pennant | |||
|- | |||
!Pattern | |||
|[[File:Flag of India.svg|150px]]||[[File:Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|150px]]<br />(1947–1950)<br />[[File:Naval Ensign of India (1950–2001).svg|150px]]<br />(1950–2001)||[[File:Royal Navy commissioning pennant (with outline).svg|150px]]<br />(1947-1950)<br />[[File:Masthead Pennant of the Indian Navy.svg|150px]]<br />(1950–2001) | |||
|- | |||
|} | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | |||
|- | |||
!Rank!![[Admiral (India)|Admiral]]<br />एडमिरल!![[Vice admiral (India)|Vice Admiral]]<br />वाइस एडमिरल!![[Rear admiral (India)|Rear Admiral]]<br />रियर एडमिरल!![[Commodore (India)|Commodore]]<br />कमोडोर | |||
|- | |||
!Pattern | |||
|[[File:Flag of Admiral - Royal Navy.svg|150px]]<br />(1947–1950)<br />[[File:Admiral-ensign-Indian-Navy.svg|150px]]<br />(1950-2001)||[[File:Flag of Vice-Admiral - Royal Navy.svg|150px]]<br />(1947–1950)<br />[[File:Vice-Admiral-ensign-Indian-Navy.svg|150px]]<br />(1950-2001)||[[File:Flag of Rear-Admiral - Royal Navy.svg|150px]]<br />(1947-1950)<br />[[File:Rear Admiral of the Indian Navy rank flag.svg|150px]]<br />(1950-2001)||[[File:UK-Navy-OF6-Flag.svg|150px]]<br />(1947-1950)<br />[[File:Commodore_of_the_Indian_Navy_rank_flag.svg|150px]]<br />(1950-2001) | |||
|- | |||
|} | |||
=== 2001–2004 === | |||
By the early 1970s, amidst [[decolonization]], the desire for the introduction of a new ensign bereft of any colonial-era identity became very strong within the ranks of the Indian Navy.<ref name="Old Ensign"/> The impulse for a new, domestic-centric ensign was further amplified by the examples of [[Royal Australian Navy|Australia]] and [[Royal New Zealand Navy|New Zealand]], which abolished the St. George's Cross from their respective naval ensigns in 1967 and 1968, respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-naval-ensign-why-indian-navy-set-new-8121252/|title=PM Narendra Modi unveils new naval ensign, here's why it is significant|website=indianexpress.com|date=2 September 2022}}</ref> However, the original idea for a post-colonial ensign is generally credited to Vice Admiral V.E.C. Barboza, a former [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command]], who suggested the change around the same period.<ref name="Old Ensign"/> | |||
Consequently, the [[Government of India|Union Government]], then led by the [[National Democratic Alliance]], chaired by [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]], changed the naval ensign in 2001, to a newer design featuring a blue-colored crest of the Indian Navy set upon a white background, with the Flag of India placed in the [[Canton (flag)|canton]].<ref name="Old Ensign"/> The change, derived from the objective of simplicity and the necessity to maintain commonality with the flags of the [[Indian Army]] and the [[Indian Air Force]], was approved by the [[President of India]] on 30 April 2001, and came into effect on 15 August 2001.<ref name="Old Ensign"/> | |||
The naval rank flags, which too had portrayed the St. George's Cross, were changed to a newer pattern, based on the ensign.<ref name="History"/> The new rank flags depicted the blue-colored naval crest at the hoist, while rank-specific stars were placed at the fly - four for the Chief of the Naval Staff, three for vice admirals, two for rear admirals and one for commodores.<ref name="Ensign Years">{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/security/how-the-indian-navys-ensign-evolved-over-the-years|title=How the Indian Navy's Ensign Evolved Over the Years|website=thewire.in|date=2 September 2022}}</ref> A five-star rank flag was also created separately as an honorary measure for the position of [[Admiral of the fleet|fleet admiral]]; however, the rank has never been never conferred to this day.<ref name="History"/> The proportion of the ensign, and the rank flags had 2:3 proportions, while the commodore's broad pennant and the Senior Officer's pennant had 1:2 proportions.<ref name="History"/> Irrespective of the changes, the national flag continued to served as the naval jack, while the Indian Blue Ensign, meant for the naval reserve, remained untouched.<ref name="History"/> | |||
Nevertheless, the new ensign was a troubled and unpopular change, as many complained that the blue of the naval crest was indistinguishable from the sky and the ocean, when viewed from afar.<ref name="Cross">{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/defence/indian-navy-to-get-new-ensign-pm-modi-says-will-do-away-with-colonial-history/1107654/|title=Indian Navy to get new ensign, PM Modi says will do away with colonial history|website=theprint.in|date=30 August 2022}}</ref> Ultimately, in 2004, after three years in service, the Indian Navy retired the use of the altered ensign, reverting to the use of its former one.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/archive/indian-navy-to-change-ensign-flag-pendant/101914/|title=Archive - Indian Navy To Change Ensign, Flag & Pendant|website=www.financialexpress.com|date=2 April 2022}}</ref> Following the decision of its impending replacement, the altered ensign and its corresponding flags were subsequently flown for the final time on 24 April 2004.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.ph/t6KAd|title=Indian Navy to change its ensign|website=archive.ph|date=24 April 2022}}</ref> | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | |||
|- | |||
!Flag!!Jack!!Ensign!!Commissioning pennant | |||
|- | |||
!Pattern | |||
|[[File:Flag of India.svg|150px]]||[[File:Naval Ensign of India (2001–2004).svg|150px]]||[[File:COMMISSIONING PENNANT (INDIA).gif|150px]] | |||
|- | |||
|} | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | |||
|- | |||
!Rank!!Admiral of the fleet<br />एडमिरल ऑफ़ द फ्लीट!!Admiral<br />एडमिरल!!Vice Admiral<br />वाइस एडमिरल!!Rear Admiral<br />रियर एडमिरल!!Commodore<br />कमोडोर!!Senior Officer<br />वरिष्ठ अधिकारी | |||
|- | |||
!Pattern | |||
|[[File:ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET (INDIA).gif|150px]]||[[File:ADMIRAL (INDIA).gif|150px]]||[[File:VICE-ADMIRAL (INDIA).gif|150px]]||[[File:REAR-ADMIRAL (INDIA).gif|150px]]||[[File:COMMODORE (INDIA).gif|150px]]||[[File:SENIOR OFFICER (INDIA).gif|150px]] | |||
|- | |||
|} | |||
=== 2004–2022 === | |||
In the wake of the troubled use of the altered ensign and its subsequent discontinuation, the Vajpayee-government reintroduced a modified variant of the former naval ensign, on 25 April 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hubert-herald.nl/BhaBharat2.htm |title= BHARAT/INDIA Part 2 - Modern India |website=www.hubert-herald.nl |date=9 September 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909133223/http://www.hubert-herald.nl/BhaBharat2.htm |archive-date=9 September 2022 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=New naval ensign unveiled |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/new-ensign-unveiled-427963 |access-date=11 September 2022 |work=The Tribune |date=3 September 2022}}</ref> The new, modified version bore the St. George's Cross, albeit with an additional touch-up of the [[State Emblem of India]] at the intersection, as an added feature.<ref name="Cross"/> The proportions of the ensign was reverted to the ratio of 1:2, while the original rank flags were restored, except for the pennant of the Senior Officer, which was redesigned to match the other rank flags.<ref name="History"/> | |||
In 2014, the ensign was further customized to feature the [[List of national mottos|Indian national motto]] in the [[Devanagari]] script: '''सत्यमेव जयते''' (''[[Satyameva Jayate]]''), translated in English as "Truth Alone Triumphs", beneath the state emblem.<ref name="Update Ensign">{{cite web |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indian-navy-correct-anomaly-satyameva-jayate-pranab-mukherjee-aamir-khan/1/375586.html | title =Indian Navy to finally include Satyameva Jayata below national emblem on its flag and crest | publisher = IndiaToday| date = 8 August 2014 | access-date = 6 July 2022}}</ref> The updated ensign was accorded presidential approval in July 2014 and was formally adopted on 15 August 2014.<ref name="Update Ensign"/> The ensign remained in active use until 1 September 2022, when the Indian Navy announced that its design would be revised in a favor of a new, domestic-centric one.<ref name="Change">{{Cite web|url=https://raksha-anirveda.com/indian-navys-new-ensign-rooted-in-indias-glorious-maritime-heritage-of-india-reflective-of-navys-present-day-capabilities/|title=Indian Navy's New Ensign: Rooted in India's Glorious Maritime Heritage of India, Reflective of Navy's Present–day Capabilities|website=raksha-anirveda.com|date=2 September 2022}}</ref> | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | |||
|- | |||
!Flag!!Jack!!Ensign!!Commissioning pennant!!Presidential standard | |||
|- | |||
!Pattern | |||
|[[File:Flag of India.svg|150px]]||[[File:Naval Ensign of India (2004–2014).svg|150px]]<br />(2004–2014)<br />[[File:Naval Ensign of India (2014–2022).svg|150px]]<br />(2014–2022)||[[File:Masthead Pennant of the Indian Navy.svg|150px]]||[[File:President's Colour of Indian Navy (until 2022).svg|150px]] | |||
|- | |||
|} | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | |||
|- | |- | ||
!Rank!!Admiral<br />एडमिरल!!Vice Admiral<br />वाइस एडमिरल!!Rear Admiral<br />रियर एडमिरल!!Commodore<br />कमोडोर!!Senior Officer<br />वरिष्ठ अधिकारी | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | !Pattern | ||
|[[File:Admiral-ensign-Indian-Navy.svg|150px]]||[[File:Vice-Admiral-ensign-Indian-Navy.svg|150px]]||[[File:Rear Admiral of the Indian Navy rank flag.svg|150px]]||[[File:Commodore_of_the_Indian_Navy_rank_flag.svg|150px]]||[[File:Senior Officer of the Indian Navy pennant.svg|150px]] | |||
|- | |||
|} | |||
=== 2022–present === | |||
In August 2022, the [[Prime Minister's Office (India)|Prime Minister's Office]] announced that the naval ensign featuring the St. George's Cross would be irrevocably disposed of, in favor of a newer design that would "do away with the colonial past" and befit the "rich Indian maritime heritage".<ref name=" New Ensign">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/indian-navy-to-change-its-ensign-4th%C2%A0change-since-1950-426867|title=Indian Navy to change its ensign; 4th change since 1950|website=www.tribuneindia.com|date=30 August 2022}}</ref> The revised ensign, which happened to be its fourth alteration since 1950, was unveiled for the first time by prime minister [[Narendra Modi]] on 2 September, at the commissioning ceremony of [[aircraft carrier]] [[INS Vikrant (2013)|INS ''Vikrant'']].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/pm-unveils-new-naval-ensign-nishaan-commissions-indias-first-indigenous-aircraft-carrier-ins-vikrant-10-facts20220902135221/|title=PM unveils new Naval Ensign 'Nishaan', commissions India's first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant: 10 Facts|website=www.aninews.in|date=2 September 2022}}</ref> Prior to its unveiling, the ensign's revised design, along with the patterns of its distinguishing rank flags, car flags and masthead pennant was accorded presidential approval.<ref name="Change"/> | |||
In continuity with the versions introduced after the country's independence, the current ensign features the national flag of India in the canton on a white field. It includes a [[navy blue]]-[[Gold (color)|gold]] octagon in the fly.<ref name="Lion Ensign">{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/defence/colonial-st-georges-cross-dropped-for-chhatrapati-shivajis-seal-on-indian-navys-new-flag/1112742/|title=Colonial St. George's Cross dropped for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's seal on Indian Navy's new flag|website=theprint.in|date=2 September 2022}}</ref> The octagon, furnished with two golden borders and a navy blue background, encompasses the crest of the Indian Navy - highlighting the national emblem, mounted atop an anchor superimposed on a naval shield.<ref name="Lion Ensign"/> However, the ensign features a clear anchor, which depicts steadfastness, as opposed to the emblem of the Indian Navy, which featured a [[Foul (nautical)|fouled anchor]].<ref name="Lion Ensign"/> Below the shield, the octagon also features a golden-bordered ribbon bearing the navy's motto in the Devanagari script: '''शं नो वरुणः''' (''Śhaṁ No [[Varuna]]ḥ''), translated in English as "May the Lord of Water be auspicious unto us".<ref name="Lion Ensign"/> The current ensign bears similarity to the design of the version in service [[Indian Naval Ensign#2001–2004|between 2001 and 2004]], given both designs have similar portrayals of the naval crest, with the only difference being of the current ensign's display of the navy blue-gold colored octagon.<ref name="Ensign Years"/> | |||
The octagon's navy blue background depicts the [[Blue-water navy|blue-water capabilities]] of the Indian Navy, while the two gold borders act as an inspirational emulation of the ''Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Rajmudra'', also referred to as the Seal of [[Shivaji|Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj]].<ref name="Lion Ensign"/> In addition, the octagonal shape also represents the eight directions: four cardinal and four inter-cardinal, symbolizing the multidirectional reach and multidimensional operational capability of the navy.<ref name="Lion Ensign"/> | |||
In December 2022, three months after the introduction of the new ensign, [[President of India|President]] [[Droupadi Murmu]] approved the creation of two more naval flags - a Presidential Standard and a Presidential Color, as honorary acknowledgements to static and mobile naval formations respectively, for distinguished and meritorious service.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206155246/https://indiannavy.nic.in/content/new-design-president%E2%80%99s-standard-and-colour-and-indian-navy-crest|title= Archive - New Design of President’s Standard and Colour and The Indian Navy Crest|website=indiannavy.nic.in|date=4 December 2022}}</ref> Both the Presidential Standard and the Presidential retain the design of the naval ensign, with the only addition to them being that of the national emblem placed in the upper left canton adjacent to the staff. | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | |||
|- | |- | ||
!Flag!!Jack!!Ensign!!Presidential standard | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | !Pattern | ||
|[[File:Flag of India.svg|150px]]||[[File:Naval Ensign of India.svg|150px]]||[[File:President's Colour of Indian Navy.svg|150px]] | |||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
===Naval ensigns of other countries=== | |||
*[[Australian White Ensign]] | |||
*[[New Zealand White Ensign]] | |||
*[[Canadian Naval Ensign]] | |||
===Others=== | |||
* [[Indian Navy]] | * [[Indian Navy]] | ||
* [[Star of India (flag)]] | * [[Star of India (flag)]] |